Majority of Brits are overweight

The majority of Brits have been classed as overweight by Public Health England (PHE), in a report which found that three-quarters are too fat in some of the worst-affected areas, dailyecho.co.uk reports.

According to PHE, just under two-thirds (64 per cent) of England's population are now classed as being overweight. Specifically, it is Copeland in Cumbria which is worst-affected, as 75.9 per cent of its population is overweight or obese. This was closely followed by Doncaster and East Lindsey, in which 74.4 per cent and 73.8 per cent respectively were found to be carrying too much weight.

Even in the area with the lightest inhabitants (London), the majority are still overweight. In the capital, some 57 per cent need to shift the pounds in order to be a healthy size.

One positive that PHE noted is that the rate of obesity increase has been slowing, with numbers instead starting to level off. It's no reason for rest, though, as there's still much work to be done in order to send figures falling.

The PHA remains confident that this could indeed be the case over coming months and years, though, as Local Authorities are now given more power to do what would be best for their own population when it comes to reducing obesity levels.

Commenting, PHA director of health and wellbeing, Kevin Fenton, told theguardian.com: "Local authorities are ideally placed to develop co-ordinated action across their departments, services and partner organisations to tackle overweight and obesity in the local population.

"Many local authorities are already working hard to reduce obesity levels and this new data will help all local areas monitor their progress in tackling these long-standing problems. Public Health England is committed to supporting local government and the local NHS."